Wind could push rapidly growing wildfire into Fort Nelson, B.C.: BCWS
![Fort Nelson wildfire evacuation A wildfire burning near Fort Nelson prompted evacuation orders for more than 3,000 residents on May 10, 2024. (Dak Simonton)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/5/11/fort-nelson-wildfire-evacuation-1-6883218-1715450542101.jpg)
A fast-growing wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that has forced thousands to flee their homes could spread into the town itself, the B.C. Wildfire Service warned.
On Sunday morning, the Parker Lake Wildfire’s estimated size was 2,843 hectares. By Sunday afternoon, it had grown to 4,136 hectares. The fire is burning out of control about 3.5 kilometres from Fort Nelson.
Evacuation orders remain in place for roughly 3,000 residents of Fort Nelson and the surrounding area, and the Fort Nelson First Nation.
Strong forecasted winds and dry fuels have experts predicting Fort Nelson proper “may be impacted” sometime Monday morning, said BCWS fire behaviour specialist Ben Boghean in a video update posted online Sunday afternoon.
The fire was already threatening structures along the Old Alaskan Highway west of the town as of 3 p.m. Sunday, he said.
And the fire is expected to continue spreading west-southwest toward Highway 97 and the Fort Nelson First Nation with a “timed impact” at 6 p.m. Monday.
“The next 48 hours will be challenging for the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality given forecasted westerly winds and extreme dry and volatile fuels in the area,” Boghean said.
“As winds pick up overnight it will create an extreme fire behaviour environment that will challenge current control lines and pose a safety concern to our wildfire personnel and emergency services.”
The BCWS is expecting fire behaviour to decrease on Tuesday when the wind dies down, but it wont relent much until there’s rain.
Northeastern B.C. has experienced years of drought and a below-normal snowpack this winter, which makes forests susceptible to new fire starts and rapid rates of spread, Boghean explained.
The response to the wildfire includes 70 firefighters, 16 helicopters, 17 pieces of heavy equipment and structure protection specialists.
Residents urged to leave
During the update, BCWS director of provincial operations Cliff Chapman urged people to avoid travelling in and around Fort Nelson due to “extreme and aggressive” fire activity, and for anyone who has not yet heeded the evacuation order to leave.
“The fuels are as dry as we’ve ever seen. The wind will be sustained and it’s going to push the fire towards the community,” he said. “Escape routes may be compromised and visibility will be poor as the fire continues to grow.”
On Sunday, Mayor Rob Fraser told The Canadian Press that there were still about 37 households in Fort Nelson and another 28 in the surrounding area that had not yet evacuated.
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality posted to social media Saturday evening, warning that the risk associated with the fire is ongoing and expected to escalate.
"Know that the decision to evacuate has not been made lightly and is based on careful assessment and expert advice, with the safety of residents being at the forefront," the Facebook post said.
The "last chance" to get evacuation assistance form the Emergency Operations Centre in Fort Nelson before it closes and relocates south of the community will be Sunday at noon, the NRRM warned.
"At this time, all residents who are currently remaining within the community are strongly urged to reconsider and evacuate immediately. You are our friends, family and neighbours. Please stay safe," the post concludes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976871.1721873052!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
DEVELOPING Jasper updates: Wildfire reaches townsite
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park has reached the townsite.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.